It's been a while, huh? I'm afraid the wildlife watching has been a bit thin on the ground of late but, by way of a catch up, here's a few things from the last week or so.
Whilst sorting through some books, I came across this vade mecum or pocket companion from 1777.
This passage about Scotland was written 174 years after the Union of the Crowns and 70 years after the Act of Union...
Modern historians seem to be still arguing over the identity of the first King of Scotland, although mainly around when exactly the kingdom came into existence. Some say it was Kenneth 1 (Kenneth MacAlpin), whose reign began in 843. Others reckon it was Constantin 1 in around 862. Whichever, Google was a long way off in 1777, so I think I can allow this old list to have its own opinion. Weirdly, it is also available online, so someone in 1777 was actually w-a-y ahead of their time!
Last weekend, a short walk around Hobbister at dusk (3pm-ish) produced a few lovely skyscapes. Sadly, over the following few days, I was never in the right place at the right time to photograph the planetary alignment of Saturn and Jupiter.
This morning we awoke to a smattering of snow and ice, although the hills of Hoy looked to have had a more liberal coating.
Recently, I was visiting some long-time (and long-suffering?) followers of my blogging exploits, and was honoured to be chosen to provide the forever home for this model of a Lesser Emperor dragonfly.
Wishing all my readers a safer, less fraught and happier year in 2021.
Trying to find that Monty Python sketch of two clergymen c.1700, talking with L's as R's and S's as F's.
ReplyDeleteOoo, there's some words to avoid in a religious context, best not go there!
DeleteWishing you a very happy Christmas and even better new year with lots of wondrous sightings :) B x
ReplyDeleteAll the best for 2021, B, with lots of butterflies, beaches and bakes.
DeleteA belated Merry Christmas to you and yes let's hope 2021 is a lot safer and less fraught.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures as ever and fascinating list from the book. I had always though Kenneth MacAlpin was the first king but so many more before him. Interesting about the Spanish heritage however. Natives of the Western Isles are often very dark-haired and dark-skinned which always made me wonder.
Fongers crissed for 2021 and a return of tourists!
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